Freeman, Hannah

Hannah Freeman

Assistant Professor

Start Year: 2022

Art
Office: B89 Kleinpell Fine Arts
Phone:

Email: hannah.freeman@uwrf.edu

Education:

• 2019 MFA, Studio Art, Painting, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN
• 2014 MA, Distinguished Graduate Student, Studio Art, Painting, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL
• 2013 BFA summa cum laude, Art, Graphic Design, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL

Artist Statement:

In my work, I am interested in how our human relationship with the landscape and natural phenomena can lead us to think about the interconnectivity of existence, as well as time, place, space, meditation, and ritual. In my work, I draw upon the history of landscape painting and abstraction, together with ecotheology*, to communicate spiritual ideas in relation to creation. 

I use a combination of representation and abstraction to convey the euphoric, transcendental sensation of my initial encounter with the subject matter. Together, the imagery and the colors revive not only the visual senses, but also the psyche. I hope the references to creation will invite viewers in, while the abstraction will challenge viewers to perceive in a way that goes beyond the surface of the painting, so they can explore their own thoughts and beliefs.

* Celia Deane-Drummond, A Primer in Ecotheology: Theology for a Fragile Earth (Oregon: Cascade Books, 2017), 131. “Ecotheology … is concerned with people and creatures as part of the wondrous gift of God the Creator.” 

Specialties:

• Painting & Drawing
• Adobe Creative Cloud

Courses Taught:

• Art 238: Introduction to Painting
• Art 338: Studio Painting
• Art 224: Digital Graphics

Professional Activities:

Recent Exhibitions (Juried & Selected)

• 2021 Harmonize, Laura Mesaros Gallery, Canady Creative Arts Center, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 
• 2021 Harmony, Saville Gallery, Allegany Arts Council, Cumberland, MD 
• 2020 3rd Place, Painting, The In Art Gallery, Online Gallery (Juror: Hagit Barkai) 
• 2020 Another Moment in Time, Old Town Arts and Crafts Guild, Inc., Cutchogue, NY (Juror: Seung Lee) 
• 2020 7th Annual Abstract Sanctuary, Verum Ultimum Art Gallery, Portland, OR (Juried Exhibition) (catalog) 
• 2020 Small Works Juried Exhibition, Kent State University Downtown Gallery, Kent, OH (Juror: Gianna Commito) 
• 2020 Open Theme Annual 2020, Webster Arts, St. Louis, MO (Juror: Melody Evans) 
• 2019 TRANSCENDENCE, Manifest Gallery, Manifest Creative Research Gallery and Drawing Center, Cincinnati, OH (Juried Exhibition) 
• 2019 PAINTED BIENNIAL, Manifest Gallery, Manifest Creative Research Gallery and Drawing Center, Cincinnati, OH (Juried Exhibition) (catalog) 

Lectures

• 2021 Artist Lecture, Bloch Hall, Canady Creative Arts Center, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV
• 2021 Artist Talk, “Working in Harmony: Exploring Visual & Thematic Connections,” Allegany Arts Council, Cumberland, MD

Awards

• 2020 Faculty Travel/Development Grant, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV
• 2019 Striving for Excellence in College and University Teaching Certificate, The Kaneb Center for Teaching and Learning, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN
• 2018 Institute for Scholarship in the Liberal Arts, Graduate Student Research Award, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 
   

Publications:

• Friend of The Artist. Studio Image Project: Americas II. October 4, 2021. https://www.friendoftheartist.com/americas-ii.  
• Freeman, Hannah K. “Hannah K Freeman: Inside the Artist’s Studio.” By Allegany Arts Council. Allegany Arts Council, (Feb. 2021). Email blast. 
• Cutshall, Jennifer Gillia. “INSIDE the ABSTRACT, post #4: Of Spheres & Building Blocks of abstraction (4 artists today).” Verum Ultimum Art Gallery (blog). April 4, 2020. https://www.verumultimumartgallery.com/post/inside-the-abstract-post-4-of-spheres-building-blocks-of-abstraction-4-artists-today. 
• Cutshall, Jennifer Gillia. 7th Annual Abstract Sanctuary, cover, 2. Portland, OR: Verum Ultimum Art Gallery, 2020.  
• The Juggler: Literature, Art and Design at Notre Dame 87 (Fall 2018): 12-13, 22-23. 
• Freeman, Hannah. “Fusing Romantic Landscape Painting and Abstract Surrealism: An Interview with Hannah K. Freeman.” By Laura Donnelly. Center for Theology, Science and Human Flourishing, (Oct. 2018). https://ctshf.nd.edu/posts/fusing-romantic-landscape-painting-and-abstract-surrealism/.  

Volunteer Work:

• 2021-2022 Mentor, EIU Graduate School Mentorship Program, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL (Mentees: MA Candidates in 2D Studio: Painting, Drawing, Printmaking)
• 2020 Mentor, University of Notre Dame Alum
• 2019-2020 Mentor, EIU Graduate School Mentorship Program, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL (Mentee: MA Candidate in Painting)

Website:

https://hkfreeman.com/